Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 70

(Hendrix POV)

Her words felt like a punch to the gut. I grabbed her wrist before she could pull away. "I'm sorry," I whispered and rested my forehead against hers. "I'm sorry I'm such a mess."

She tried to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You're not a mess. You're just... confused."

"And you're not?" I shot back and tightened my grip on her wrist. "You're just as lost as I am."

We stood there, our breaths mingling, and I couldn't stop myself. I tilted her chin up and forced her to look at me. "Why does it have to be so hard?" I whispered.

"Because it's us," she replied and her voice broke. "Everything's always complicated with us."

And that's when I couldn't hold back anymore. I kissed her, soft at first, just testing the waters. But when she didn't pull away, I deepened it and poured everything I couldn't say into that kiss.

She responded and her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. My hands moved to her waist and I gripped her like she was the only thing keeping me sane.

Our kisses became more crazed as we backed up against the dusty bookshelves. I felt the heat of her body and the way her breath hitched every time my hands slid across her skin. It drove me insane. "Hendrix,” she whispered against my lips and I almost lost it right there.

"Tell me to stop," I breathed out and brushed my lips against the curve of her neck. "Tell me to stop and I will."

But she didn't. She pulled me closer and her nails dug into my back. I took that as my answer.

We stayed like that for what felt like hours, tangled together and lost in each other, until reality came crashing back and I knew we couldn't keep doing this.

I pulled back and rested my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath. "Angel..."

"I know," she said faintly. "I know."

I didn't want to let her go, but I had to. We both knew we couldn't stay here forever, hiding from everything and everyone.

stupid project," she muttered and ran a hand through her hair, trying

still pounded in my chest. "Let's finish

down, I knew

...

(Ava's POV)

and watched each girl from that dorm room leave one by one. He said the journal would be here, that it was crucial, and I

behind the others, probably lost in her usual thoughts. Stupid girl. When

floral air freshener scent they sprayed everywhere. Of course,

spaced and their desks were filled with little trinkets and personal touches. Everything about this

less than 30% of the space while I took up the rest. The thought of them irritated me, but they're all insignificant. Except for Dilrah. She's useful. But this wasn't

little rabbit. How predictable. I smirked and pulled it out. "Stupid girl," I muttered and flipped through the pages. Dr. Valen's handwriting, sharp

shut the journal and slipped it under my jacket. He's

(Angel's POV)

I trailed behind Hande and Cylan and my legs ached while my mind wandered. All I could think about was how much longer I'd be

stretched her arms. "I swear they're just trying to break us down before they finally let us

don't remind me. I'm counting the minutes until I can get out of

like I'd been here forever and, at the same time, like I'd just arrived. I shook off the thought

left it. I stood there and stared, trying to figure out if I was imagining things. Maybe someone

coming?" Cylan called from

yeah, I'm coming," I muttered and brushed off the unease and joined

yet, probably still caught up in their drills or at the gym. As I sat down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was

and

tried to focus on my breakfast, but

walked over like a serpent. "Angel, can we talk?" she asked,

we can't," Cylan cut in and rolled

what I have to say." She pulled something out of

The journal.